Related Tags:

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Former Saturday Night Live star and current ’30 Rock’ funnyman Tracy Morgan has issued an apology for delivering what some deemed an anti-gay tirade during a recent comedy show.

Morgan issued a statement Friday to The Huffington Post through his representative:

“I want to apologize to my fans and the gay & lesbian community for my choice of words at my recent stand-up act in Nashville. I’m not a hateful person and don’t condone any kind of violence against others. While I am an equal opportunity jokester, and my friends know what is in my heart, even in a comedy club this clearly went too far and was not funny in any context.”

Here’s what likely prompted the apology. During his show at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on June 3, Morgan delivered more than a few gay jokes, but went on an anti-gay rant, according to a now-former Morgan fan who attended the show.

Kevin Rogers posted a review of sorts on his Facebook page following the show. Below is an excerpt of Rogers’ post (edited for profanity):

He mentioned that gay was something kids learn from the media and programming, and that bullied kids should just bust some ass and beat those other little f***ers that bully them, not whine about it.

He said if his son that was gay he better come home and talk to him like a man and not [he mimicked a gay, high-pitched voice] or he would pull out a knife and stab that little N (one word I refuse to use) to death.

He mentioned that Barack Obama needed to man up and quit being all down with this just because he has a wife and two daughters. All of this being followed by thunderous cheer and “You go Tracys.” Tracy then said he didn’t [expletive] care if he pissed off some gays.

Rogers insists he’s a longtime fan of Tracy’s and expected some gay jokes to be part of the routine. He ended his post by saying, “I’m not angry… just very very disappointed.”

Rogers appeared on CNN Friday and said he accepted Morgan’s apology.

The Huffington Post reported that this is not the first time Morgan went on a homophobic tirade during a show. In 2009, some audience members walked out of Morgan’s bawdy performance at Carnegie Hall.